Dermal fillers have become one of the most popular tools in the fight against aging. Hailed by some as “liquid facelifts” dermal fillers can instantly reduce many common aging related issues such as wrinkles, thinning lips, or hallowing cheeks, without the pain or necessary recovery time associated with cosmetic surgery.
Surging popularity has spurred the creation of many different types of dermal fillers, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. While having more choice is great for experienced injectors, choosing between filler treatments can get confusing for perspective patients.
To help clear up any confusion, here is a basic rundown of today’s most popular fillers:
Juvederm Ultra and Ultra XC
Main Ingredient: Hyaluronic Acid
How It Works: The filler absorbs water, resulting in plumping of the areas in which it is injected.
Common Uses: Great for addressing fine to moderate facial wrinkles as well as adding facial volume. Juvederm is ideal for use on facial areas with thinner skin like the areas around the mouth and nose. Juvederm Ultra XC is used when adding a little volume in the lips. Juvederm Ultra Plus XC is used if you want that fuller lip look. Everyone’s lips are different it is a very artistic technique when using a lip filler in the lips. You want to make sure you communicate with your provider the outcome you are looking for. Remember if you don’t have lip tissue to fill then you will not get a fuller lip. You need to have lip tissue in order to fill that area. Your provider will help you pick the appropriate filler for this area.
How Long Does It Last: Typically between 9 months up to a year after injection
Reversible: Results can be reversed using hyaluronidase injection.
Volbella
Main Ingredient: Hyaluronic Acid
How It Works: The filler, which is in the Juvederm family. Think of this filler as the finishing touch. You can use this filler as a line eraser and to add definition to the lips. Off label this filler works great in the tear trough area because it doesn’t swell much since, it only absorbs one time it’s weight in water.
Common Uses: Volbella is ideal for smoothing lip lines. While this filler is not intended to add volume to the lips. This filler is used to define the lip boarder and perfect the perfect lip. Off label this filler works great in the tear trough area because it doesn’t have a lot of swelling.
How Long Does It Last: Approximately 12 months after injection
Reversible: Results can be reversed using hyaluronidase
Voluma
Main Ingredient: Hyaluronic Acid
How It Works: Voluma, also in the Juvederm family of products. This product is less hydrophilic so it doesn’t attract a lot of water. You will not have a lot of swelling after these injecions. This product works great for midface volumization. When lifting the mid-face an added benefit you will see a difference in the jawline lifting and the under eye area not looking as tired, because this product lifts.
Common Uses: FDA approved for adding volume and contouring the cheeks
How Long Does It Last: Up to 2 years with fill correction
Reversible: Results can be reversed using hyaluronidase
Radiesse
Main Ingredient: Calcium hydroxylapatite
How It Works: Radisesse primarily works by stimulating the body to form new collagen, which naturally plumps the skin. The gel and calcium microbeads also work to add volume. Radiesse is not used on the lips because of it’s chemical makeup, thickness and the product is white, it would show through the tissues. This is a thicker filler and has to be used in patients with thicker skin.
Common Uses: Used to treat moderate to severe facial folds such as the nasolabial folds. Radiesse can also be used to add volume the cheeks and in the hands.
How Long Does It Last: Usually a year or longer (up to 2 years for patients who undergo a dose adjustment treatment)
Reversible: No
Restylane-L
Main Ingredient: Hyaluronic Acid
How It Works: When injected into the skin, Restylane increases skin volume by increasing water absorption. Restylane was the first Hyaluronic acid filler on the market.
Common Uses: Works to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds and to add volume in the lips. Restylane Silk is ideal for and definition to the lip boarder and to those superficial lines around the mouth. Caused from frequent use of drinking through straws or water bottles.
How Long Does It Last: Up to 9 months after injection- Restylane- L and Restylane Silk about 6 months due to it’s placement around a mobile area as the mouth and the superficial injection. Refyne and Defyne last up to 12months.
Reversible: Results can be reversed using hyaluronidase
Restylane Family of Products Includes: Restylane-L, Silk, Lyft, Refyne, and Defyne
Restylane Refyne and Restylane Defyne are the newest to the US market. These two new fillers are designed to give your laugh lines a pick-me-up. These products are formulated to act like your body’s own naturally occurring hyaluronic acid, restoring volume to your skin. These products are designed to give you just the right amount of support, along with flexibility to show a range of facial expression.
Sculptra
Main Ingredient: Poly-L-Lactic Acid
How It Works: Sculptra initiates the formation of new collagen within the injected areas of the skin. The results of Sculptra are not immediate and patients will require a series of treatments to achieve their desired results.
Common Uses: Initially used to treat fat and tissue loss in HIV patients, Sculptra is a powerful filler for filling in hallow or sunken areas of the face. Sculptra can also work to increase the thickness of the skin which can decrease folds and wrinkles. Sculptra is not used on the lips. Sculptra takes a series of injections usually 4 weeks apart in order to get the desired affect. This product stimulates collagen production and is very natural looking. Sculptra is now being used off label to volumize the buttocks and in the decollate to add a natural volume and help with chest wrinkles. How Long Does It Last: More than 2 years after treatment series is completed.
Reversible: No
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